Chemistry

Chair: Haobin Wang
Office: Science Building, 3071 E
Telephone: 303-556-5866
Fax: 303-556-4776
Website: clas.ucdenver.edu/chemistry/

Faculty

Professors:
Robert Damrauer, PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Doris Kimbrough, PhD, Cornell University
Haobin Wang, PhD, Wayne State University
Xiaotai Wang, PhD, University of Virginia

Associate Professors:
Hai Lin, PhD, University of Science and Technology of China
Scott Reed, PhD, University of Oregon

Assistant Professors:
Karen Knaus, PhD, Cleveland State University
Jung-Jae Lee, PhD, University of Notre Dame
Yong Liu, PhD, University of Michigan
Jefferson Knight, PhD, Yale University
Xiaojun Ren, PhD, Jilin University
Marino Resendiz, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles
Liliya Vugmeyster, PhD, State University of New York at Stony Brook

Clinical Associate Professor:
Margaret Bruehl, PhD, Northwestern University

Clinical Assistant Professor:
Marta Maron, PhD, Univeristy of Colorado

Instructors:
Priscilla Burrow Crocker, PhD, University of Colorado
Vanessa Fishback, PhD, University of Northern Colorado
Kyoung Kim, PhD, University of Notre Dame

Emeritus Faculty:
Larry G. Anderson, PhD, Indiana University
Douglas Dykes, PhD, Case Western Reserve University

Undergraduate Information

Chemistry Major

Why study chemistry? A practical reason is that our highly technical society faces many problems that cannot be solved without an understanding of the science of chemistry and its methods of solving problems. A more intangible reason is that chemistry is central to a variety of other disciplines and that many problems ultimately will have chemical solutions.

At the undergraduate level, students can prepare for:

careers in chemical and medical laboratories
programs both pre- and post-baccalaureate in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, teaching and in health-oriented fields, such as medicine, physician assistant, dentistry, pharmacy, pharmacology, nursing, physical therapy, medical technology and dental hygiene

For more information contact the Chemistry Major Advisor: Dr. Vanessa Fishback vanessa.fishback@ucdenver.edu. All Chemistry majors should contact the major advisor every semester.

Click here to learn about the requirements for the Major in Chemistry.

Click here to learn about the requirements for the Major in Chemistry with a Biochemistry Emphasis.

Click here to learn about the requirements for the American Chemical Society Certified Major in Chemistry.

Click here to learn about the requirements for the American Chemical Society CertifiedMajor in Chemistry with a Biochemistry Emphasis.

Departmental Honors

Qualified students are encouraged to participate in the chemistry honors program. Three levels of honors are awarded by the CU Denver chemistry department.

To earn cum laude honors in chemistry, a student must satisfy one of the following criteria:

an overall GPA of 3.2 or better and a chemistry GPA of 3.5 or better; or
an overall GPA of 3.2, a chemistry GPA of 3.2 or better, and six hours of either CHEM 4840 Independent Study or CHEM 4880 Directed Research, spread over a minimum of two semesters.

To earn magna cum laude or summa cum laude honors in chemistry, a student must satisfy each of the following criteria:

an overall GPA of 3.2 or better,
a chemistry GPA of 3.5 or better;
six hours of CHEM 4840 Independent Study, or CHEM 4880 Directed Research, spread over a minimum of two semesters with a GPA of 3.2 or better;
and the writing of and presentation of a thesis on their independent research to a faculty advisory committee. The committee decides if cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude honors are to be awarded.

Chemistry Minor

For more information contact the Chemistry Minor Advisor: Dr. Priscilla Burrow priscilla.burrow@ucdenver.edu. All Chemistry minors should contact the minor advisor the semester prior to the semester of planned graduation.

Click here to learn about the requirements for a Minor in Chemistry.

Certificate in Biochemistry

For more information contact the Chemistry Major Advisor: Dr. Vanessa Fishback vanessa.fishback@ucdenver.edu. Students applying for the certificate should contact the major advisor during the semester prior to the semester of planned certificate award.

Click here to learn about the Certificate in Biochemistry.

Chemistry BS/MS Program

Click here to learn about our BS/MS Program.

Graduate Information

At the graduate level, an MS degree program is offered. Students with MS degrees have job opportunities in research and technical laboratory services. In addition, flexible programs can be designed to combine chemical knowledge and skills with other interests of the MS-level student (e.g., biology or environmental science). Please go to the Graduate catalog to read about our graduate programs.